Eye-watering quantity children will eat throughout the summer season holidays revealed in ‘snackathon’

Brit parents are set to be on the hook for more than £2000 of food that their kids scoff down during the summer holidays according to new research

British parents will be eaten out of house and home this summer holiday – to the tune of £2,256, according to a nationwide study.

New research reveals the average weekly family food shop is now a whopping £171 – however, during the school holidays, parents are shelling out £205 on top of that, on meals out, top-up shops, takeaways, and treats such as ice creams in the park.

Over the six-week (average) break, this all adds up to a staggering £2,256 – just on keeping the family fed and watered.

In fact, 78% of the mums and dads polled say their youngsters already eat more than the adults in the house and the chorus of “I’m hungry!” drives them round the bend.

As many as 37% of the parents surveyed said they are pestered non-stop, with the average child asking for food eight times a day over the six-week holiday.

The research by children’s snack brand, Once Upon A Farm, found that youngsters fling open the fridge nine times daily during the school break, trapping parents in a never-ending snack cycle.

And when it comes to how long food items last, it’s a matter of hours rather than days.

A multipack of crisps is wiped out in 16 hours, while sweets are gone in just 13.

A box of brownies vanishes in 15 hours, while chocolate doesn’t last longer than 12, mini cheeses survive just 14 hours, and a pack of ham is history within 17 hours of purchasing.

Yet 27% of parents said their kids are “still hungry” again barely an hour after eating.

And while parents try to steer them right, over two thirds (69%) fret about the tidal wave of junk food their children plough through in summer.

In fact, 15% of the parents polled said it was a challenge to get their youngsters to eat healthily over the holidays, while 12% said their children simply refuse to eat veggies or salad.

A further 69% said they worry how much rubbish their children consume over the summer break, due to being out of the usual routine.

Nutritionist Sophie Trotman, who was involved in the study says “The summer holidays can feel like a never-ending snack-athon for parents. Children are naturally more active, more social and often at home for longer periods, which means they’re thinking about food more frequently.

“While there’s lots of convenient grab-and-go options in the supermarket, they’re not always the freshest or highest quality. In recent years, parents have become more mindful of ultra-processed foods in their children’s diets, so they’re looking for balanced options they can trust, especially during a busy summer.”

The study highlights the pressure we all face when school structure disappears and the kids are at home more.

Over a quarter admit the meal routine collapses, dinners get skipped, and home cooking is sidelined as everyone is out and about.

A Once Upon a Farm spokesperson said: “It’s no surprise parents worry about the amount of junk food their children consume during the break. The good news is that healthy snacks don’t have to be boring. The reality is that children will snack throughout the holidays but the key is making those snacks work harder for families by offering options that parents can feel good about.”

Nutritionist Sophie Trotman’s top tips to keep kids healthy this summer:

1. Focus on whole food ingredients: Choosing snacks made with whole foods and a variety of fruit and veg can help support children’s overall diet quality, gut health and micronutrient intake – plus it means you can be confident that they’ve had something less processed at snack time at least once in a day.
2. Be prepared: Having a set snack and meal routine during the holidays can be challenging. Instead of worrying too much about timings, prepare a range of packable snacks ahead of time the kids can grab on the go.
3. Make healthy choices the easiest choices: When you’re at home, keep nutritious options at eye-level in the fridge as children are more likely to choose what’s visible and easy to reach.
4. Understand why they’re snacking: If your child asks for food shortly after eating, ask whether they’re hungry, thirsty or simply looking for something to do. Sometimes suggesting an activity first can help distinguish boredom from genuine hunger.